Pai Ti Gong / Hokkien New Year At Chew Jetty 拜天公

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Pai Ti Gong / Hokkien New Year At Chew Jetty 拜天公 – Pai Ti Kong literally means “pray sky god” is a very happenings festival during Chinese New Year in Malaysia, especially in Penang. It is also known as the Hokkien’s Chinese New Year where this day is celebrated by most Hokkien Chinese. It falls on the 8th day of Chinese New Year during the night throughout the midnight, where you can hear the sound of firecrackers and fireworks all over Penang, and place where people celebrate it.

On this night, Hokkien Chinese set up a table full of food which are to serve to the “Sky God”. Although fireworks and firecrackers are prohibited in Malaysia, but then people still playing with them because it’s one of the Chinese culture.

Penang is has the most people celebrated this day and it’s the most happenings place for Pai Ti Kong in Malaysia, especially at Chew Jetty.

I am a Cantonese Chinese, so I don’t really celebrate the day, but then I do go to Chew Jetty every year to see people celebrating it and also to pray too. Last year, I didn’t get a chance but this year I have it. Chew Jetty was even more crowded this year. About 1km stretch of road were close for the Pai Ti Kong festival. As usual, a long table is set up on the road where people put food on the table which to be served to the god. Rich people will buy roasted pig to be dedicated to the god, of course, they will take back the roasted pig and eat with their family and friends after the praying ceremony at midnight.

Chew Jetty was so happenings and crowded. Something different then last time is there’s a stage set up with performance and some performers hail all the way from China. Mini stalls selling gift and collectible product are set up in Chew Jetty too.

The number of people that went into Chew Jetty was really a lot, a lot until that RELA had to restrict the number of people to go in as afraid that too many people will make the place collapse. Luckily, everything went nice, as they arrange people to go in batch by batch. Well, this is another must see in Penang, it’s something very different, very special, during Chinese New Year.

Traffic jam at Weld Quay.

Chinese lantern.

Miku bread for the god.

A girl putting food on the long table.

Roasted pork!

Big dragon joss stick.

Interview by RTM Malaysia TV station.

Performance stage.

Tarrot card fortune telling.

RELA member arranging people to go in Chew Jetty batch by batch. Good job.

Have you been there before? Check out my post about Pai Ti Kong in 2010, 2009, 2008.

Nick is an interior designer and tech enthusiast based in Penang, Malaysia who constantly exploring places, indulges great food, discovering good design and is a shutterbug. Nick usually writes about Penang, happenings, travel, food, design and personal thoughts.